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CHICAGO – Chicago Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane will unveil and use personally-designed skates and stick during the upcoming Bridgestone NHL 2009 Winter Classic at Wrigley Field in Chicago on New Year’s Day.

Kane, working with designers and developers at Bauer Hockey, designed the skates and stick this past summer for exclusive use during the outdoor game. Only 88 skates and 88 sticks were created for this special event and Kane will personally sign and auction off a portion of the limited edition product to raise money for breast Cancer research in Chicago and his home town of Buffalo.

“It’s something I’ve been interested in from the beginning – designing your own skates and stick is a pretty unique experience,” Kane said. “It’s really exciting to look at a skate and design it to exactly how you want it to be made. To be able to give back to the community makes the whole experience even more special.”

The Nike Bauer Vapor XXXX skates designed by Kane feature the traditional black, white and red colors of the retro Blackhawks uniforms that will be worn during the game. The skates feature white patent leather tongues and a unique Patrick Kane logo exclusively created for the limited edition product. The word “Showtime” is printed on the tendon guard of the skate, referring to the high level of anticipation for the outdoor game as well as Kane’s exciting style of play. The Kane-designed Nike Bauer Supreme One95 stick is completely red and features the same logo design as well as a “Candy Kane” pattern to celebrate the holiday season. In addition, ‘Winter Classic PK88’ is written in the stick’s namebar to commemorate the memorable outdoor game.

“The skates and stick are the colors of the Blackhawks and should go well with the uniform, but at the same time, it’s a little bit of showtime,” Kane said. “Hopefully when I step out onto the ice, people will say ‘Oh wow, look at the skates Kane’s wearing.’ I’m fortunate enough to be the only one wearing these designs so it makes playing in the game even more exciting. You know the old saying, ‘Look good, feel good, play good.’”

Each skate and stick auctioned will be personally signed by Kane, individually numbered and accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Kane and Bauer Hockey. To access the online auction, which will run from Jan 1-10, 2009, visit Nikebauer.com.

Bauer Hockey is the world’s most recognized designer, marketer and manufacturer of hockey equipment and currently operates under the Nike Bauer Hockey name. Founded in Kitchener, Ontario in 1927, Bauer developed the first skate with a blade attached to a boot, forever changing the game of hockey. Since then, Bauer has continued to develop the most sought after products in the industry, including the widely successful Supreme and Vapor lines of products.